Lakes was discovered several hours later, having left little A'Lelah on a doorstep by herself.

"She could have came up hurt. They got people that mess with little kids," said Tony Quinn.

WREG's Luke Jones has learned the daycare is relatively new. State records showed it's only been open since last summer and they have no documented violations during that time.

State policy clearly says all child care facilities must be licensed and have a child release plan.

It goes on to say children can only be signed out by their custodial parent or someone specifically authorized by the parents. Daycare workers are supposed to verify the identity of anyone the child is released to.

It appears that didn't happen Thursday since police said Lakes merely signed the little girl's mother's name.

DHS wouldn't comment further about their investigation but did say the just happened to be at Elite Academy the same day as the kidnapping or a routine, unannounced visit.